Nord Stream pipeline is technically ready for a full load, IAA PortNews journalist cites Sergey Serdyukov, Technical Director of the Project, as saying at the international conference SubSeaTECH 2014 in Saint-Petersburg.
According to him, the degree of loading is presently under discussion. The pipeline is expected to be fully loaded considering the problem of gas transit via Ukraine.
Besides, Sergey Serdyukov says maintenance-free service life of the pipeline is 50 years.
Nord Stream is an export gas pipeline running under the Baltic Sea to Germany. The two-string gas pipeline stretches 1,224 kilometers and has the capacity of 55 billion cubic meters. The Nord Stream project is implemented by Nord Stream joint venture (with Gazprom holding a 51 per cent stake, Wintershall Holding and E.ON Ruhrgas – 15.5 per cent each, Gasunie and GDF Suez – 9 per cent each).
Nord Stream AG is an international consortium established for designing, construction and operation of the gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea.